Foreclosure Problems Are Worse for HIV-Positive Renters

The HIV-positive renters are having a serious problem due to foreclosures. In the past few months, about 50 HIV-positive renters have reported that they have been forced out of their homes as a result of this real estate problem. The rental rates being high and the prevalence of ineffective antidiscrimination laws together with lack of public benefits have led to this problem. It is a heavy crisis situation for the renters. Although there is no centralized system for finding out the exact number of HIV-positive renters with this problem, but they are at real stake. Sabrina Wilson is facing the problem of home foreclosure on her Brooklyn apartment.

Another woman with three children and two grandchildren, who lives in Queens, was stopped from using gas in June and soon she received a mail whereby it was written that it was because of the owner of the building she was dwelling in, who was facing foreclosure. She has paid the bills for gas from June to August, as it was said to her from the gas company that she had thousands of dollars overdue.

The HIV/AIDS Services Administration called HASA helps people having HIV disease with rental assistance. However, it is reviewed on an individual basis. Apart from the HASA benefit, a 30 percent share of the income is expected from the tenant, usually given from federal benefits. According to a co-director of the New York City AIDS Housing Network, Sean Barry,

“HASA pays 20 percent less than Section 8. If a landlord has multiple clients applying with Section 8 or HASA, they know they can play around with the regulations and get more money from Section 8.”

The housing code of the city was amended by the City Council in March saying that it is illegal to do a discrimination against the tenants who get local, state or federal housing benefits like HASA or Section 8. But this amendment is applicable for those buildings which are not private homes and have six units or more in them. According to Hannah Thorne who is a case manager for Housing Works helping HIV infected people in matters of real estate,

“There are no consequences, no monetary fines. We look for apartments with clients, and the landlords say, ‘No programs, no programs, no programs.’ “

Same-day emergency housing aid to evicted tenants having AIDS is provided by the city. It is applicable to those who have not been able to find a new home for themselves.

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